Herb / Mineral of the Month

Shilajeet

Botanical Name :- Asphaltum
English Name :- Mineral Pitch
Shilajeet is an exudates that is pressed out from layers of rock
in the mountains. It is composed of humus and organic plant
material that has been compressed by layers of rock.

Source:

Shilajeet
is obtained from rocks in the Himalayan region. It is a form of
mineral that drips from the cracks of the rocks during hot
weather. It is decomposition of the plant matter in the rocks
centuries before. The bio-transformed plant matter is extruded
from the rocks by geothermal pressures. It is collected in raw
form for further purification. Walking high in the Himalayan
Mountains, a thick rich paste oozing out from the rocks in the
towering cliffs is Shilajeet.

Shilajeet is the most important drug of
Ayurvedic and folk- medicine systems. In the raw form it is a
bituminous substance, which is a compact mass of vegetable organic
matter composed of dark red gummy matrix. It is bitter in taste.

In the Ayurvedic texts it is called as silajatu or shilajatu, but
is commonly known as Shilajeet. Its Sanskrit meaning is "conqueror
of mountains and destroyer of weakness."

Discovery of Shilajeet:

Shilajeet has been used for thousands of years
and for as many different health problems. It is listed as a
healing agent in ancient Sanskrit writings and is used today in
Ayurvedic health practices. The discovery is said to be made by
Himalayan villagers observing large white monkeys migrate to the
mountains in the warm summer months. The monkeys were seen to be
chewing a semi-soft substance that flowed from between layers of
rock. The villagers attributed the monkey’s great strength,
longevity and wisdom to the substance. They began to consume it
themselves and reported a broad spectrum of improvements in
health. It seemed to give them more energy, relieve digestive
problems, Increase sex drive, improve memory and cognition,
improve diabetes, reduce allergies, improve the quality and
quantity of life and it seemed to cure all diseases.

Processing of Shilajeet

Approximately 40% of the raw material remain
after extraction. Proper extraction is very important to guarantee
a consistent high level of active ingredients, remove inactive
substances, remove harmful free radicals and mycotoxin producing
fungi and fungal toxins. Good quality Shilajeet is then
standardized to guarantee consistent levels of the active
ingredients.

Attributed Medicinal Properties / Healing Properties :

Enlarge Prostate :

Shilajeet has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda as an
adjunct to a healthy prostate and urinary tract. It help maintain
the balanced flow of testosterone & help maintain the urine’s
flow.

Urinary problems:

Shilajeet is used in kidney function. It is
effective in treating burning urine, incontinence of urine due to
enlarged prostate or stone in the bladder or kidney.

Increase sex drive:

Shilajeet in India, is an aphrodisiac. It is
well known that Shilajeet would return the libido of people to a
level of teenagers. Shilajeet increases the core energy
responsible for sexual and spiritual power. The use of Shilajeet
for renewing vitality.

High blood sugar is a growing (literally)
health problem today. Millions of people around the world have
some degree of high blood sugar and are progressing on to
diabetes. Shilajeet has long been used for the prevention and
treatment of diabetes in Ayurvedic medicine.

Antioxidant:

Antioxidants can safely neutralize a free
radical without becoming a free radical them self. Shilajeet is a
powerful antioxidant that has the added benefit of being able to
cross the blood-brain barrier.

Anti-inflammatory:

Shilajeet is a very powerful anti-inflammatory
agent. It has been shown to reduce acute chemically induced edema
by 77%. The antioxidant properties also help to prevent
inflammation.

It literally means joint inflammation. The
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to decrease and
relieve joint inflammation and pain. The effects on the
neurotransmitters in the brain also seem to help relieve joint
pain.

Shilajeet amplifies the benefits of other herbs
by enhancing their bio-availability. It helps transport nutrients
deep into the tissue and removes deep-seated toxins. Shilajeet
improves memory and the ability to handle stress. Shilajeet
reduces recovery time in muscle, bone and nerve injuries.
Shilajeet stimulates the immune system and reduces chronic
fatigue. It is adaptogen (Rasayana) that helps to combat immune
disorders, urinary tract disorders, nervous disorders and sexual
dissatisfaction. It promotes strong bones and heals damages muscle
tissues, osteoarthritis and porous.

Dosage:

The recommended amount for general use and to
maintain optimal health is 2 Tab or 2 capsules thrice daily